Indiana State University Newsroom

Insurance and risk management majors pulled out all the stops to raise funds for their program when they hosted the 18th annual Oktoberfest Golf Scramble.

"Our golf outing is the largest fundraiser we have each year and it has become an awesome tool to provide opportunities to strengthen our insurance and risk management students into competitive future employees, and to also match employers with prospective students," said Meagan Stenger, an insurance major. The junior from Shelbyville, Ill. served as coordinator for this year's golf outing on Sept. 24 at the Terre Haute Country Club.

More than 30 companies were represented at the event, which included participates by more than 100 company representatives, including John Boss, executive vice president of Aon Risk Solutions, an employee benefits consulting group in Indianapolis.

"I've been involved in this event since the Mary Ann Boose days 18 years ago when this was just a nine-hole event in Indianapolis and the goal was to raise enough money to send one student to a conference," said Boss. "It seemed like a good idea and clients of mine know that I like to play golf, so I've always been willing to help. I've watched the event evolve over 18 years and now what the students raise helps to support the entire department."

The student-led fundraiser typically raises at least $25,000 that will be used to provide students with professional development opportunities, such as corporate visits, national conferences, study trips and other related activities to them learn more about changes in the industry and connect them with companies and career opportunities beyond Terre Haute and Indiana.

On top of the monetary benefit, the students have the chance to network with professionals in the industry, said Rebecca Wray, director of the Gongaware Center for Insurance and Financial Services and Networks Financial Institute.

"The students are paired with high level professionals that they spend the day golfing and talking with, which is great opportunity for them while they're still students," she said. "We also have several alums that come back and take part in the event to benefit our program, so it is a great day."

"We were involved in everything from renting out the country club, ordering food and golfing equipment to contacting industry professionals for sponsorship and getting all students involved in the golf outing, as well as getting name tags, signs and logos for the event. We did pretty much everything," Stenger said. "I have learned so much from this experience, and I am so thankful to have been such an integrative part in such a large event. I am very proud of not only myself, but my university. "

Writer: Betsy Simon, media relations assistant director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-7972 or betsy.simon@indstate.edu